Memory cell, device, and system

ABSTRACT

A memory cell, device, and system include a memory cell having a shared digitline, a storage capacitor, and a plurality of access transistors configured to selectively electrically couple the storage capacitor with the shared digitline. The digitline couples with adjacent memory cells and the plurality of access transistors selects which adjacent memory cell is coupled to the shared digitline. A method of forming the memory cell includes forming a buried digitline in the substrate and a vertical pillar in the substrate immediately adjacent to the buried digitline. A dual gate transistor is formed on the vertical pillar with a first end electrically coupled to the buried digitline and a second end coupled to a storage capacitor formed thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to memory circuits and, moreparticularly, to dynamic random access memory cells and a method forforming the same.

2. State of the Art

The microelectronics industry has been driven by the desire forincreased device density and circuit miniaturization. One electroniccircuit component where the desire for miniaturization is most evidentis in the realm of data storage components. One such data storagecomponent is computer memory and, more specifically, Random AccessMemory (RAM). RAM cell densities have increased dramatically with eachgeneration of new designs and have become one of the major drivingsources for the formation of Integrated Circuit (IC) design. In order toaccommodate continuing consumer demand for integrated circuits thatperform the same or additional functions and yet have a reduced size ascompared with available circuits, circuit designers continually searchfor ways to reduce the size of the memory cells which form memory arrayswithout sacrificing memory array performance.

With respect to memory ICs, the area required for each memory cell in amemory array contributes to the size of the memory array and thecapacity (i.e., the amount of information that may be stored in eachmemory array) of the memory device. Therefore, the size and capacity ofa memory device is a function of the dimensions of the memory cells. Aconventional memory cell includes an information storage capacitor andan access transistor for selectively coupling the storage capacitor (andthe charge stored therein) to other electronic circuitry (e.g., sensing,storing and refreshing circuitry). One way of increasing memory celldensity is through the formation of a vertical memory cell wherein thestorage capacitor and the access transistor are formed in a mannerextending perpendicular from the general plane of the substrate. Inorder to form such structures, some of the interconnections andstructures must be formed as tall narrow structures in close proximitywith adjacent memory cells. The reduced size allows more computer chipsto be fabricated on a semiconductor wafer and, assuming a similarfunctional chip yield, the cost per memory unit is reduced therebyproviding a competitive advantage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified cross-sectional view of a basic“stacked” configuration of a memory cell, in accordance with theconventional stacked capacitor technology utilizing a verticaltransistor. Memory cells 10 and 30 are shown formed on a substrate 12.Each of the memory cells includes respective access transistors 14 and34 and storage capacitors 16 and 36. During operation of, for example,memory cell 10, electrical charge representing information (e.g., a bit)is stored within storage capacitor 16 in conjunction with the activationof access transistor 14. In addition to the information passing throughaccess transistor 14, the information is also bussed along a digitlineillustrated in FIG. 1 as respective digitlines 18 and 38, electricallyisolated by distance 32. The electrical isolation of each of the memorycells from each other is essential to accurate conventionalfunctionality but also contributes to the overall individual size of amemory cell and to the capacity of memory cells that may be fabricatedin a manufacturable memory array.

As the minimum size for a photolithography feature “F” decreases, theaspect ratio of the stacked memory cell increases and the formation offeatures deep in the vertical dimension becomes problematic and affectsthe yield of functional devices. Therefore, it would be desirable todevise a memory cell and method for fabricating the same that includesstructures and processes that are conducive to reduced dimensions andproduce functional devices at those reduced dimensions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in exemplary embodiments, relates to a memorycell, device, system and method for forming the same. In one embodimentof the present invention, a memory cell includes a storage capacitor anda shared digitline. The memory cell further includes a plurality ofaccess transistors configured to selectively electrically couple thestorage capacitor with the shared digitline.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an array of memory cellsis provided. The array of memory cells includes a digitline and firstand second storage capacitors. A first plurality of access transistorsis configured to selectively electrically couple the first storagecapacitor with the digitline. Also, a second plurality of accesstransistors is configured to selectively electrically couple the secondstorage capacitor with the digitline. A common access signal isconfigured to commonly activate a portion of the first plurality ofaccess transistors and the second plurality of access transistors. Firstand second access signals respectively separately activate anotherportion of the first plurality of access transistors and the secondplurality of access transistors.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a memory cell formedon a substrate is provided. The memory cell includes a shared digitlineburied in the substrate and a vertical dual gate transistor formed on anisolated pillar of a portion of the substrate. A first end of thevertical dual gate transistor couples to the shared digitline while thevertical dual gate transistor has formed thereon first and second gatesabout a perimeter of the isolated pillar. A capacitor is formed on asecond end of the vertical dual gate transistor.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a memory deviceincluding an array of memory cells is provided. The array of memorycells is formed on a substrate with each memory cell including a shareddigitline buried in the substrate, a vertical dual gate transistor and acapacitor. The vertical dual gate transistor is formed on an isolatedpillar of a portion of the substrate with a first end of the verticaldual gate transistor coupled to the shared digitline. The vertical dualgate transistor includes first and second gates formed on a perimeter ofthe isolated pillar. The capacitor is formed on a second end of thevertical dual gate transistor. The memory device further includes asense amplifier electrically coupled to the shared digitline and addresscircuitry to separately activate the vertical dual gate transistor andelectrically couple the capacitor to the shared digitline.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, an electronicsystem is provided. The electronic system includes a processor having aprocessor bus and one of an input and output device operably coupled tothe processor. The electronic system further includes a memory deviceoperably coupled to the processor with the memory device including anarray of memory cells formed on a substrate. Each of the memory cellsincludes a shared digitline buried in the substrate, a vertical dualgate transistor, and a capacitor. The vertical dual gate transistor isformed on an isolated pillar of a portion of the substrate with a firstend of the vertical dual-gate transistor coupled to the shareddigitline. The vertical dual gate transistor includes first and secondgates formed on a perimeter of the isolated pillar. The capacitor isformed on a second end of the vertical dual gate transistor. The memorydevice of the electronic system further includes a sense amplifierelectrically coupled to the shared digitline and address circuitry toseparately activate the vertical dual gate transistor and electricallycouple the capacitor to the shared digitline.

In a yet further embodiment of the present invention, a method offorming a memory cell on a substrate is provided. A buried digitline isformed in the substrate and a vertical pillar is also formed in thesubstrate. The vertical pillar is formed electrically adjacent to theburied digitline. A dual gate transistor is formed on the verticalpillar having a first end electrically coupled to the buried digitline.A storage capacitor is formed in electrical contact with a second end ofthe dual gate transistor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate what is currently considered to be thebest mode for carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified configuration of adjacent verticalmemory cells, in accordance with conventional methodologies;

FIG. 2 is a simplified circuit diagram of adjacent memory cells, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an array of memory cellsconfigured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 through FIG. 18 are plan views and related cross-sectionalillustrations of an exemplary fabrication process for forming the memorycells, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a functional illustration of a memory arrayconfigured with vertical memory cells, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is plan view of a functional illustration of a memory arrayconfigured with vertical memory cells, in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of a memory circuit that includesmemory cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of a computer system including amemory device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring in general to the following description and accompanyingdrawings, various aspects of the present invention are illustrated toshow its structure and method of operation. Common elements of theillustrated embodiments are designated with like numerals. It should beunderstood the figures presented are not meant to be illustrative ofactual views of any particular portion of the actual structure ormethod, but are merely idealized representations which are employed tomore clearly and fully depict the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified circuit diagram of adjacent vertical memorycells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Adjacent memory cells 40, 42 are configured as vertical memory cellsincluding respective stacked capacitors 44, 46 and access circuitry 48,50. Access circuitry 48, 50 each include a plurality of accesstransistors configured for selective switching of the respectivecapacitors to a shared digitline 52.

Conventional memory cells rely on a wordline to activate an accesstransistor that forms the entire access circuitry for each memory cell.In the various embodiments of the present invention, adjacent or anotherwise plurality of memory cells may be coupled to the same digitlinewhich, according to conventional access circuitry, would result in anon-unique coupling of storage elements to a sense amplifier (not shown)via the digitline. In the various embodiments of the present invention,the access circuitry 48, 50 each includes a plurality of access gatesthat is uniquely selected. By way of example and not limitation, accesscircuitry 48 includes access transistors 54, 56 which are uniquelyselected, for example, by an access signal such as a wordline 58 and afirst selection signal 60. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, a common access signal such as a wordline may be used as oneselection signal for enabling one of the access transistors. Accesscircuitry 50 includes a plurality of access transistors 62, 64 with oneof the access transistors being activated by the shared wordline 58 andanother access transistor 64 being uniquely activated by a secondselection signal 66.

While conventional memory cell architectures have selected adjacentmemory cells through a common wordline, those architectures hadindividual digitlines for each of the memory cells that were commonlyselected by the common wordline. While such a conventional approachremains inherently sound, the practicalities of fabricating anindividual digitline isolated from adjacent memory cells when thedigitline is fabricated as a buried digitline and the dimensions on amemory cell are reduced to single digit minimum feature dimensions (F)become problematic. The various embodiments of the present inventionprovide an improved architecture configured to accommodate burieddigitlines that need not be isolated on one side from adjacent memorycells.

FIG. 3, FIG. 19, and FIG. 20 identify alternative topologies for forminga vertical memory cell that includes a shared digitline and utilizes aplurality of access gates for coupling each memory cell to the shareddigitline. FIG. 4 through FIG. 18 illustrate fabrication steps forforming one of the various embodiments of the present invention. Forclarity in illustration, the fabrication steps of FIG. 4 through FIG. 18are exemplary drawn to the orthogonal topology of the embodiment of FIG.3, however, the processing steps apply to all other embodiments when thevarious layers are rotated according to angles that are illustrated withrespect to the other figures, namely FIG. 19 and FIG. 20.

Generally, a non-planar transistor is built with more than one gate by afabrication process (e.g., a Complementary Metallic Oxide Semiconductor,“CMOS” process) for accessing a memory element such as a capacitor in aDynamic Random Access Memory (“DRAM”) device or a resistive element inmemory like MRAM or PCRAM. The transistor gates contact the accesstransistor body at different elevations and are isolated from each otherand separately addressed. The gate length and the number of gates mayextend down as far as feasible for cost effective manufacturing.Additionally, it is appreciated that memory cells such as DRAM memorycells, are generally more sensitive to gate leakage than to the speed atwhich the transistor may be turned on. Therefore, utilization ofmultiple gates for forming the access circuitry between the storagecapacitor and the digitline, in addition to providing uniqueaddressability, may also improve the reduction of leakage current.

Utilization of access gates configured in tandem facilitates theselection of a storage capacitor of a memory cell from among a group ofmemory cells which share a common digitline. Thus, in a memory arrayapplication, utilization of multiple gate memory cells that utilizeshared digitlines may reduce the overall number of sense amplifiers thatare required on a memory array which may further reduce the costassociated with the fabrication of such devices.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an array of memory cellsconfigured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. Vertical memory cells are generally formed according togenerally orthogonal feature relationships. FIG. 3 illustrates specialrelationships between the memory cells as well as functional flowsbetween the memory cells and conductors. Specifically, a plurality ofmemory cells 100 is depicted as being formed according to a verticalmemory cell architecture. An array 98 of vertical memory cells 100includes digitlines 102 (individually illustrated as digitlines102A-102D) that are common to a pair of rows of memory cells 100.Accordingly, since the digitlines 102 couple to sense amplifiers fordiscerning the logic of charge from a capacitor, the sharing of a commondigitline provides increased spacing between adjacent sense amplifiersfor the formation of the complex and relatively large sense amplifiers.By way of example and not limitation, the memory cells 100 may befabricated with a size of 4F² which translates to a spacing of 4Fbetween adjacent digitlines 102.

The vertical memory cells 100 are fabricated to include a capacitor (notshown in FIG. 3) and a plurality of access gates for coupling thecapacitor of the individual memory cell 100 to a digitline 102. Theplurality of access gates is formed, as further described below, alongthe sides or facets of the memory cells 100 and is activated by acorresponding plurality of selection signals. By way of example and notlimitation, FIG. 3 illustrates a common selection signal 104(individually illustrated as common selection signals 104A-104F)traversing the digitlines 102 in a logically orthogonal arrangement. Todistinguish between adjacent memory cells 100 that share a commondigitline 102, first and second selection signals 106 and 108 arealternatingly coupled to adjacent memory cells 100 to uniquely select asingle memory cell for coupling to a digitline when a particular commonselection signal is asserted.

FIG. 4 and FIGS. 4A-4B (shown along the cross-sections 4A-4A and 4B-4Bof FIG. 4) illustrate various views for fabricating a plurality ofmemory cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a semiconductor substrate during astage of fabrication, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. A semiconductor substrate 110 is capped with a first spacer112 formed, by way of example, from a nitride material. Thesemiconductor substrate 110 and the first spacer 112 are then subjectedto a patterning process by forming a patterning layer 114, such as aresist layer, on top of the first spacer 112. The patterning layer 114is subjected to a selective removal process, an example of which is aphotolithographic process which results in the removal of selectedportions of the patterning layer 114. A deep trench etching process isperformed through the openings in the patterning layer 114 resulting inthe removal of portions of the first spacer 112 and the semiconductorsubstrate 110. The etching process results in the formation of firstdeep trenches 116 having, for example, an approximate depth of 6000Angstroms. It is also noted from FIG. 4B, that an exemplary measurementand spacing of 2F is shown between each of the first deep trenches 116which defines one of the spatial dimensions of the memory cell.

FIG. 5 and FIGS. 5A-5C (shown along cross-sections 5A-5A, 5B-5B, 5C-5Cof FIG. 5) illustrate various views of the array of memory cells at alater point of processing, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The first deep trenches 116 of FIG. 4 are filled withan oxide fill 118 for later use in forming vertical pass transistors. Tosmooth the top surface, a self-leveling process is performed. Exemplaryself-leveling processes include Chemical/Mechanical Planarization (CMP)or etch-back processes, the specifics of which are known by those ofordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 6 and FIGS. 6A-6C (shown along cross-sections 6A-6A, 6B-6B, 6C-6Cof FIG. 6) illustrate various views of the array of memory cells at alater point of processing, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The oxide fill 118 (FIG. 5) is etched back to formoxide fill 118′ to a level below the first spacer 112 resulting in apartial trench extending through first spacer 112 and into thesemiconductor substrate 110. The resulting partial trench has formedtherein a spacer fill 120 and further having a fill formed as a spacerbeam 122 therein. The spacer fill 120 may include sacrificial oxide andpolysilicon. The fill of the spacer beam 122 may be comprised ofsapphire such as Al₂O₃. To smooth the top surface, a self-levelingprocess is performed. Exemplary self-leveling processes includeChemical/Mechanical Planarization (CMP) or etch-back processes, thespecifics of which are known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 7 and FIGS. 7A-7C (shown along cross-sections 7A-7A, 7B-7B, 7C-7Cof FIG. 7) illustrate various views of the array of memory cells at alater point of processing, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In order to form isolated vertical columns for use informing vertical silicon pillars from the substrate for forming passtransistors thereon, additional or second deep trenches are formed in apattern crosswise from the first deep trenches 116 previously formed asillustrated in FIG. 4. While the present figures illustrate anorthogonal relationship between the deep trenches, acute and obtuseconfigurations are also contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention and are illustrated below with references to FIGS. 8-21.Referring to FIGS. 7, 7A-7C, second deep trenches 124 are formed bycapping the top of substrate 110 with a second spacer 126 formed, by wayof example, from a nitride material. The semiconductor substrate 110 andthe second spacer 126 are then subjected to a patterning process byforming a patterning layer 128, such as a resist layer, on top of thesecond spacer 126. The patterning layer 128 is subjected to a selectiveremoval process, an example of which is a photolithographic processwhich results in the removal of selected portions of the patterninglayer 128. A deep trench etching process is performed through theopenings in the patterning layer 128 resulting in the removal ofportions of the second spacer 126 and the semiconductor substrate 110.The deep trench etching processes also remove portions of the firstspacer 112 (FIG. 4). The etching process results in the formation ofsecond deep trenches 124 having, for example, an approximate depth of6000 Angstroms. It is also noted from FIG. 7C, that an exemplary pitchof 2F is shown between each of the first deep trenches 124 which definesthe other spatial dimension of an individual memory cell.

FIG. 8 and FIGS. 8A-8C (shown along cross-sections 8A-8A, 8B-8B, 8C-8Cof FIG. 8) illustrate various views of the array of memory cells at alater point of processing, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The second deep trenches 124 of FIG. 7 are filledwith an oxide fill 130 for later use in forming the vertical passtransistors. To smooth the top surface, a self-leveling process isperformed. Exemplary self-leveling processes include Chemical/MechanicalPlanarization (CMP) or etch-back processes, the specifics of which areknown by those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 9 and FIGS. 9A-9C (shown along cross-sections 9A-9A, 9B-9B, 9C-9Cof FIG. 9) illustrate various views of the array of memory cells at alater point of processing, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. As stated, one topology for memory cell architectureincludes the formation of a digitline that is buried. As also stated,when the formation of features occurs deep in the substrate, it becomesdifficult to obtain reliable specific electrical isolation at suchdepths from other features. Therefore, the various embodiments of thepresent invention allow the coupling of a buried digitline to adjacentmemory cells. In FIG. 9, a digitline trench 132 is formed between rowsof silicon pillars that later become vertical memory cells. Thedigitline trench 132 is formed when subjected to a patterning process byforming a patterning layer 134, such as a resist layer. The patterninglayer 134 is subjected to a selective removal process, an example ofwhich is a photolithographic process which results in the removal ofselected portions of the patterning layer 134. An etching process isperformed through the openings in the patterning layer 134 resulting inthe removal of portions of the oxide fill 130. The etching processresults in the formation of the digitline trench 132 with a portion ofthe oxide fill 130 remaining at the bottom of the digitline trench 132.

FIG. 10 and FIGS. 10A-10C (shown along cross-sections 10A-10A, 10B-10B,10C-10C of FIG. 10) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. In the bottom of the digitline trench 132(FIG. 9), a digitline conductor 136 is formed. The digitline conductor136, by way of example, is formed to be approximately 2000 A in heightwith respect to the digitline trench 132 (FIG. 9). In a further process,a trench liner 138 is formed to extend from the top of the digitlineconductor 136 through the remaining length of the digitline trench 132(FIG. 9). By way of example, the trench liner 138 may be formed of a SiNmaterial, the composition of which is known by those of ordinary skillin the art. The remaining length of the digitline trench 132 (FIG. 9) ispartially filled with an oxide fill 140 followed by formation of acontact 142 configured, by way of example, as a Self Aligned Contact(SAC), the specifics of which are known by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

FIG. 11 and FIGS. 11A-11C (shown along cross-sections 11A-11A, 11B-11B,11C-11C of FIG. 11) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. A controlled isotropic oxide etch processforms voids 144. The isotropic etch is not a complete etch of oxide fill118 and 130 of FIGS. 8-10, but portions of the oxide fill 118 areretained for spacing conductive signals at the gate levels of thedeveloping vertical transistors. Also of note, upon completion of theoxide etch process, the voids 144 are traversed by spacer beam 122 (FIG.6) for providing structural support during processing steps.

FIG. 12 and FIGS. 12A-12C (shown along cross-sections 12A-12A, 12B-12B,12C-12C of FIG. 12) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. An insulating gate oxide and poly layer 146are formed inside of voids 144. A tungsten, for example, conductor 148is formed inside the profile of the insulating gate oxide and poly layer146. An etch back process is performed to form the conductor 148 of adesired height for the formation of a first transistor gate of the firstaccess transistor.

FIG. 13 and FIGS. 13A-13C (shown along cross-sections 13A-13A, 13B-13B,13C-13C of FIG. 13) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. A dry poly etch, for example, removes spacerfill 120 (FIGS. 6-12) which was a sacrificial oxide and poly spacerwherein the sacrificial oxide is of a nominal (approx. 60 Å) thickness.A deposition of an oxide fill with a dry oxide etch back are performedto planarize trench 150 and therefore set the elevation of the secondtransistor gate in the vertical memory cell according to the residualoxide fill 152. The oxide fill process also provides an oxide fill 154under the spacer beams 122.

FIG. 14 and FIGS. 14A-14C (shown along cross-sections 14A-14A, 14B-14B,14C-14C of FIG. 14) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The oxide fill 154 (FIG. 13) is followed byformation of the second access gate by depositing gate oxide and polylayer 156 followed by an etch back process. A tungsten, for example,conductor 158 is deposited and is also followed with an etch backprocess to form the desired thickness of the gate of the upper or secondaccess transistor. An oxide fill and planarization 160 providesplanarization to the upper surface.

FIG. 15 and FIGS. 15A-15C (shown along cross-sections 15A-15A, 15B-15B,15C-15C of FIG. 15) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. A resist layer 162 masks the surface whichundergoes an oxide etch process to remove the exposed oxide fillportions. Subsequently, the surface undergoes a nitride etch process toremove portions of the exposed nitride down to the level of the SelfAligned Contact (SAC) 142.

FIG. 16 and FIGS. 16A-16C (shown along cross-sections 16A-16A, 16B-16B,16C-16C (different location from previous figure) of FIG. 16) illustratevarious views of the array of memory cells at a later point ofprocessing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Atungsten, for example, conductor 164 is deposited and etched backfollowed by deposition of an oxide fill 166 and an etch back processwhich may include a Chemical/Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process.

FIG. 17 and FIGS. 17A-17C (shown along cross-sections 17A-17A, 17B-17B,17C-17C of FIG. 17) illustrate various views of the array of memorycells at a later point of processing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. A resist layer masks the surface whichundergoes an oxide etch process to remove the exposed oxide fill 166portions followed by a nitride etch process and a tungsten conductoretch process. A polysilicon layer 170 is disposed in the openings of theoxide fill 166. An etch back process which may include aChemical/Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process is performed on thesurface.

FIG. 18 illustrates a view of the array of memory cells at a later pointof processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. A charge storage element, such as a capacitor, is formed ontop of the vertical gate arrangement. A thick oxide 172 of, for example,1-2 μm is deposited and patterned with holes which are anisotropicallyetched into the oxide 172 to contact the top conducting material, suchas the poly layer 170, above the vertical transistor arrangement. Thislattice of oxide 172 walls provides an enhanced surface area upon whichthe stacked capacitors may be formed.

The patterning artifacts are removed and the surface is prepared fordeposition of a metal layer 174 or other quasi conductive material usedto form the capacitor's lower electrode. The top or horizontal portionof the metal layer 174 is removed through, for example, aChemical/Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process for isolating theindividual containers where the capacitors are built and completes theformation of the capacitor's lower electrode. Subsequently, a thin film176 forming the capacitor dielectric is deposited followed by thedeposition of a metal layer 178, or other quasi conductive material,forming the capacitor's upper electrode.

Additional planarization layers (not shown) are subsequently appliedwith the formation of contact holes creating contact points for themetal interconnects, the specifics of which are known by those ofordinary skill in the art. Additionally, interconnect layers forcoupling with gates, sense amplifiers, and the substrate may also beapplied. For clarity, the lower level interconnections are notillustrated herein, however, the specifics of such interconnections areknown by those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of an array of memory cellsconfigured in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. Vertical memory cells are generally formed according to agenerally orthogonal angle feature relationship. FIG. 19 illustratesrelationships between the memory cells as well as functional flowsbetween the memory cells and conductors. Specifically, a plurality ofmemory cells 200 are depicted in a generally triangular cross-section asbeing formed according to a vertical memory cell architecture, thespecifics of which have been previously described. An array 198 ofvertical memory cells 200 includes digitlines 202 (individuallyillustrated as digitlines 202A-202F) that are each common to a pair ofcolumns of memory cells having a generally triangular cross-section.Accordingly, since the digitlines 202 couple to sense amplifiers 220(individually illustrated as sense amplifiers 220A-220F) for discerninga logic level from the charge stored in a capacitor, the sharing of acommon digitline accommodates increased spacing between adjacent senseamplifiers for the formation of the generally complex and relativelylarge sense amplifiers. By way of example and not limitation, the memorycells may be fabricated with a size of 4F² which translates to a spacingof 2F between adjacent digitlines 202. Additionally, sense-amplifiersmaybe oriented on opposing ends of adjacent digitlines resulting in aspacing of 4F for the lateral dimension of adjacent sense amplifiers.

The vertical memory cells are fabricated to include a capacitor and aplurality of access gates for coupling the capacitor of the individualmemory cell 200 to a digitline 202. The plurality of access gates isformed, as previously described above, along the sides or facets of thememory cells 200 and is activated by a corresponding plurality ofselection signals. By way of example and not limitation, FIG. 19illustrates a common selection signal (e.g., wordline) 204 (individuallyillustrated as selection signals 204A-204E) traversing the digitlines202 in a logically orthogonal arrangement. To distinguish betweenadjacent memory cells 200 that share a common digitline 202, first andsecond selection signals 206 and 208 are alternatingly coupled toadjacent memory cells 200 to uniquely select a single memory cell forcoupling to a digitline when a particular common selection signal 204 isasserted.

By way of example, assertion of a common selection signal 204D resultsin a partial activation of each memory cell 200 that has a side or facetin proximity with the common selection signal 204D. To distinguishbetween partially activated memory cells 200 that are coupled to aspecific shared digitline, one of the selection signals, 206, 208 isasserted. By way of example, a selection signal 206 is illustrated asbeing activated which causes memory cells 200′ to selectivelyelectrically couple the respective storage capacitors of memory cells200′ with the corresponding unique digitline 202.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of an array of memory cellsconfigured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. As stated, vertical memory cells are generally formedaccording to a generally orthogonal angle feature relationship. FIG. 20illustrates special relationships between the memory cells as well asfunctional flows between the memory cells and conductors. Specifically,a plurality of memory cells 300 are depicted in a generally isoscelestriangular cross-section as being formed according to a vertical memorycell architecture, the specifics of which have been previouslydescribed. An array 298 of vertical memory cells 300 includes digitlines302 (individually illustrated as digitlines 302A-302H) that are eachcommon to a pair of columns of memory cells. Accordingly, since thedigitlines 302 couple to sense amplifiers 320 (individually illustratedas sense amplifiers 320A-320H) for discerning the logic of charge from acapacitor, the sharing of a common digitline provides increased spacingbetween adjacent sense amplifiers for the formation of the complex andrelatively large sense amplifiers. By way of example and not limitation,the memory cells may be fabricated with a size of 2F² which translatesto an approximate spacing of 2F between adjacent digitlines 302.

The vertical memory cells are fabricated to include a capacitor and aplurality of access gates for coupling the capacitor of the individualmemory cell 300 to a digitline 302. The plurality of access gates isformed, as previously described above, along the sides or facets of thememory cells 300 and is activated by a corresponding plurality ofselection signals. By way of example and not limitation, FIG. 20illustrates a common selection signal (e.g., wordline) 304 (individuallyillustrated as selection signals 304A-304E) traversing the digitlines302 in an angular arrangement. In the present embodiment of the presentinvention, the memory cells are configured in a generally isoscelestriangular cross-sectional arrangement. Therefore, two selection linesmay activate a memory cell causing the storage capacitor to be coupledto the digitline on the third side of the cross-section of the verticalmemory cell. To distinguish between adjacent memory cells 300 that sharea common digitline 302, first and second selection signals 306 and 308are alternatingly coupled to adjacent memory cells 300 to uniquelyselect a single memory cell for coupling to a digitline when particularselection signals are asserted.

By way of example, assertion of a common selection signal 304D resultsin a partial activation of each memory cell 300 that has a side or facetin proximity with the common selection signal 304D. To distinguishbetween partially activated memory cells 300 that are coupled to aspecific shared digitline, one of the selection signals 306, 308 isasserted. By way of example, a selection signal 306 is illustrated asbeing activated which causes memory cells 300′ to selectivelyelectrically couple the respective storage capacitors of memory cells300′ with the corresponding unique digitline 302.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a memorycircuit 460, which includes memory banks 462A and 462B. These memorybanks each incorporate a memory array according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, the memory circuit 460 is asynchronous DRAM (SDRAM), although it may be another type of memory inother embodiments.

The circuit 440 of memory circuit 460 includes an address register 464,which receives an address from an ADDRESS bus. A control logic circuit466 receives a clock (CLK) signal and receives clock enable (CKE), chipselect (CS), row address strobe (RAS), column address strobe (CAS), andwrite enable (WE) signals from the COMMAND bus, and communicates withthe other circuits of the memory circuit 460. A row-address multiplexer468 receives the address signal from the address register 464 andprovides the row address to the row-address latch-and-decode circuits470A and 470B for the memory bank 462A or the memory bank 462B,respectively. During read and write cycles, the row-addresslatch-and-decode circuits 470A and 470B activate the word lines of theaddressed rows of memory cells in the memory banks 462A and 462B,respectively. Read/write circuits 472A and 472B read data from theaddressed memory cells in the memory banks 462A and 462B, respectively,during a read cycle, and write data to the addressed memory cells duringa write cycle. A column-address latch-and-decode circuit 474 receivesthe address from the address register 464 and provides the columnaddress of the selected memory cells to the read/write circuits 472A and472B. For clarity, the address register 464, the row-address multiplexer468, the row-address latch-and-decode circuits 470A and 470B, and thecolumn-address latch-and-decode circuit 474 can be collectively referredto as an address decoder.

A data input/output (I/O) circuit 476 includes a plurality of inputbuffers 478. During a write cycle, the buffers 478 receive and storedata from the DATA bus, and the read/write circuits 472A and 472Bprovide the stored data to the memory banks 462A and 462B, respectively.The data I/O circuit 476 also includes a plurality of output drivers480. During a read cycle, the read/write circuits 472A and 472B providedata from the memory banks 462A and 462B, respectively, to the drivers480, which in turn provide this data to the DATA bus.

A refresh counter 482 stores the address of the row of memory cells tobe refreshed either during a conventional auto-refresh mode orself-refresh mode. After the row is refreshed, a refresh controller 484updates the address in the refresh counter 482, typically by eitherincrementing or decrementing, the contents of the refresh counter 482 byone. Although shown separately, the refresh controller 484 may be partof the control logic circuit 466 in other embodiments of the memorycircuit 460. The memory circuit 460 may also include an optional chargepump 486, which steps up the power-supply voltage V_(DD) to a voltageV_(DDP). In one embodiment, the charge pump 486 generates V_(DDP)approximately 1-1.5 V higher than V_(DD). The memory circuit 460 mayalso use VDDP to conventionally overdrive selected internal transistors.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an electronic system 512, such as acomputer system, that incorporates the memory circuit 460 of FIG. 22.The system 512 also includes computer circuitry 514 for performingcomputer functions, such as executing software to perform desiredcalculations and tasks. The circuitry 514 typically includes a processor516 and the memory circuit 460, which is coupled to the processor 516.One or more input devices 518, such as a keyboard or a mouse, arecoupled to the computer circuitry 514 and allow an operator (not shown)to manually input data thereto. One or more output devices 520 arecoupled to the computer circuitry 514 to provide to the operator datagenerated by the computer circuitry 514. Examples of such output devices520 include a printer and a video display unit. One or more data-storagedevices 522 is coupled to the computer circuitry 514 to store data on orretrieve data from external storage media (not shown). Examples of thestorage devices 522 and the corresponding storage media include drivesthat accept hard and floppy disks, tape cassettes, and compact diskread-only memories (CD-ROMs). Typically, the computer circuitry 514includes address data and command buses and a clock line that arerespectively coupled to the ADDRESS, DATA, and COMMAND buses, and theCLK line of the memory circuit 460.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that although the present inventionhas been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, variousmodifications, known to those skilled in the art, may be made to themethods and structures as well as the process steps presented hereinwithout departing from the invention which is defined in the claimsappended hereto.

1. A memory cell, comprising: a storage capacitor; a shared digitline;and a plurality of access transistors configured to exclusivelyselectively electrically couple the storage capacitor with the shareddigitline.
 2. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the shared digitlineis a buried digitline.
 3. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein theplurality of access transistors is configured as a vertical dual gatetransistor.
 4. The memory cell of claim 3, wherein the vertical dualgate transistor is fabricated with a generally rectangularcross-section.
 5. The memory cell of claim 3, wherein the vertical dualgate transistor is fabricated with a generally triangular cross-section.6. The memory cell of claim 5, wherein the vertical dual gate transistoris fabricated with a first gate of the dual gate transistor on a firstfacet and a second gate on a second facet of the vertical dual gatetransistor.
 7. The memory cell of claim 3, wherein each gate of the dualgate transistor is on a different facet of the vertical transistor. 8.The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the storage capacitor is configuredas a stacked capacitor.
 9. An array of memory cells, comprising: adigitline; first and second storage capacitors; a first plurality ofaccess transistors configured to selectively electrically couple thefirst storage capacitor with the digitline; a second plurality of accesstransistors configured to selectively electrically couple the secondstorage capacitor with the digitline; a common selection signalconfigured to commonly activate a portion of the first plurality ofaccess transistors and the second plurality of access transistors; andfirst and second selection signals configured to respectively separatelyactivate another portion of the first plurality of access transistorsand the second plurality of access transistors.
 10. The array of memorycells of claim 9, wherein the common selection signal is configured as awordline in the array of memory cells.
 11. The array of memory cells ofclaim 9, wherein the digitline is a buried digitline.
 12. The array ofmemory cells of claim 9, wherein the first and second plurality ofaccess transistors are each configured as vertical dual gatetransistors.
 13. The array of memory cells of claim 12, wherein thevertical dual gate transistors are fabricated with a generallyrectangular cross-section.
 14. The array of memory cells of claim 12,wherein the vertical dual gate transistors are fabricated with agenerally triangular cross-section.
 15. The array of memory cells ofclaim 14, wherein the vertical dual gate transistors are fabricated witha first gate of the dual gate transistor on a first facet of thevertical transistor and a second gate of the dual gate transistor on asecond facet of the vertical transistor.
 16. The array of memory cellsof claim 12, wherein each gate of the dual gate transistor is on adifferent facet of the vertical transistor.
 17. The array of memorycells of claim 9, wherein the first and second storage capacitors areconfigured as stacked capacitors.
 18. A memory cell formed on asubstrate, comprising: a shared digitline buried in the substrate; avertical dual gate transistor formed on an isolated pillar of a portionof the substrate, a first end of the vertical dual gate transistorcoupled to the shared digitline, the vertical dual gate transistorhaving first and second gates formed on a perimeter of the isolatedpillar; and a capacitor formed on a second end of the vertical dual gatetransistor.
 19. The memory cell of claim 18, wherein the vertical dualgate transistor is formed with a generally rectangular cross-section andfirst and second gates are formed on different sides of the pillar. 20.The memory cell of claim 18, wherein the vertical dual gate transistoris formed with a generally triangular cross-section and first and secondgates are formed on first and second sides of the pillar and the shareddigitline electrically couples to a third side of the pillar.
 21. Amemory device, comprising: an array of memory cells formed on asubstrate, each memory cell including: a shared digitline buried in thesubstrate; a vertical dual gate transistor formed on an isolated pillarof a portion of the substrate, a first end of the vertical dual gatetransistor coupled to the shared digitline, the vertical dual gatetransistor having first and second gates formed on a perimeter of theisolated pillar; and a capacitor formed on a second end of the verticaldual gate transistor; a sense amplifier electrically coupled to theshared digitline; and address circuitry to separately activate thevertical dual gate transistor and electrically couple the capacitor tothe shared digitline.
 22. The memory device of claim 21, wherein theshared digitline is a buried digitline.
 23. The memory device of claim21, wherein the vertical dual gate transistor is fabricated with agenerally rectangular cross-section.
 24. The memory device of claim 21,wherein the vertical dual gate transistor is fabricated with a generallytriangular cross-section.
 25. The memory device of claim 24, wherein thevertical dual gate transistors are fabricated with a first gate of thedual gate transistor on a first facet of the vertical transistor and asecond gate of the dual gate transistor on a second facet of thevertical transistor.
 26. The memory device of claim 21, wherein eachgate of the dual gate transistor is on a different facet of the verticaltransistor.
 27. The memory device of claim 21, wherein the storagecapacitor is configured as a stacked capacitor.
 28. An electronicsystem, comprising: a processor having a processor bus; one of an inputand output device operably coupled to the processor; and a memory deviceoperably coupled to the processor, the memory device including: an arrayof memory cells formed on a substrate, each memory cell including: ashared digitline buried in the substrate; a vertical dual gatetransistor formed on an isolated pillar of a portion of the substrate, afirst end of the vertical dual gate transistor coupled to the shareddigitline, the vertical dual gate transistor having first and secondgates formed on a perimeter of the isolated pillar; and a capacitorformed on a second end of the vertical dual gate transistor; a senseamplifier electrically coupled to the shared digitline; and addresscircuitry to separately activate the vertical dual gate transistor andelectrically couple the capacitor to the shared digitline.
 29. Theelectronic system of claim 28, wherein the shared digitline is a burieddigitline.
 30. The electronic system of claim 28, wherein the verticaldual gate transistor is fabricated with a generally rectangularcross-section.
 31. The electronic system of claim 28, wherein thevertical dual gate transistor is fabricated with a generally triangularcross-section.
 32. The electronic system of claim 31, wherein thevertical dual gate transistors are fabricated with a first gate of thedual gate transistor on a first facet of the vertical transistor and asecond gate of the dual gate transistor on a second facet of thevertical transistor.
 33. The electronic system of claim 28, wherein eachgate of the dual gate transistor is on a different facet of the verticaltransistor.
 34. The electronic system of claim 28, wherein the storagecapacitor is configured as a stacked capacitor.